Virginia Pelley

Virginia Pelley is an experienced science and features writer and editor with bylines at Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, The Atlantic, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Vice, The Daily Beast, Men’s Journal, Marie Claire, Good Housekeeping, Al Jazeera America, Cosmopolitan, and of course Fatherly.

Escape Plan

Go Ahead, Be A Man

Limiting yourself to old ideas of masculinity is lonely and dangerous. Embracing new ideas is the only way to escape.

Sex

What Men Really Want in Bed

Think you know what drives male desire? Think again.

Life

Why Men Lose The Respect Of Their Families — And How They Can Win It Back

Regardless of how it was lost, respect can be hard to get back. Commanding it isn’t the answer.

Talk Shop

Stressed? These 8 Tips Can Help You Communicate Better

Do you not communicate effectively when you’re stressed? Join the club. These tips can help change your behavior.

Life

Is Having A Crush On Someone Else Damaging To A Marriage?

Crushes happen. And having them is completely healthy. Until it's not.

Men's Health

Low Sperm Count Is Creating A Men’s Health Crisis. But Why Are Numbers Declining?

Researchers have known for a while that sperm count and quality are declining at alarming rates in westernized countries. But what, exactly, is the cause?

Divorce

"Gray Divorce" Is Soaring. What If It Comes For Your Parents?

Here’s how to ease the transition for everyone — including yourself

The Long Haul

Couples Who Make It Through Tough Times Share These 8 Traits

In the long run, this is the stuff that really matters.

Q&A

Yes, You Need To Prioritize Your Marriage Over Your Kids

But what does this actually look like in practice, and how do you set boundaries without hurting your children?

The Long Haul

How Happy Marriages Stay Happy: 7 Signs Of A Rock-Solid Relationship

This is what helps couples stay happy over time.

Advice

How To Fight New-Dad Loneliness

New fatherhood is incredible. But it can also be incredibly lonely and isolating. Here's how to fight those feelings.

Sex

Your Sex Life is Suffering. Your Partner Doesn’t Seem to Care. What Now?

These are the steps to take.

Life

What Really Happens To A Marriage After Having Kids

Research shows that having children drastically affects a marriage — often for the worse. Understanding why is essential to recalibrating your relationship.

Split Decisions

What Happens When You Cut Your Parents Out Of Your Life

Severing ties is sometimes the only option. But it's never a clean break.

Life

I Think My Wife Hates Me: The Hidden Meaning Behind Husbands’ Worry

Substantiated or not, the fear says a lot about you and your relationship. And it merits some unpacking.

Relationships

Why Emotional Labor In Marriage Matters And How To Share The Load

One partner often handles most, if not all, of this invisible work in their relationships. Here's how to tip the scales.

Know The Difference

Parent Guilt Is Natural. Parent Shame Is Toxic.

Understanding the difference — and cutting yourself some slack — is crucial to being there for yourself and your family.

Life

How to Be a Good Husband to a Stay-at-Home Mom

It all comes down to managing expectations and a good deal of empathy.

Decisions, Decisions

How to Make Better Joint Decisions With Your Partner

This is how to sidestep the most common — and frustrating — parts of decision-making and come together as a unit.

Anger

Why Good Men Are Bad To Their Families

This is a story about bears.